Automatic arrow loader



Aug. 29, 1961 w. K. CROWDER AUTOMATIC ARROW LOADER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 21, 1958 INVENTO M1? A? -Cruz/A2 BY BMW Viv/@04 yrrvxws/c'.

1961 w. K. CROWDER 2,997,999

AUTOMATIC ARROW LOADER Filed Nov. 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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1961 w. K. CROWDER 2,997,999

AUTOMATIC ARROW LOADER Filed Nov. 21, 1958 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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United States Fatent 2,997,999 AUTOMATIC ARROW LOADER Wiley K. Crowder,Troy, Mich. (3255 Windcroft, Pontiac, Mich.) Filed Nov. 21, 1958, Ser.No. 775,565 13 Claims. (Cl. 124-52) This invention relates to anautomatically operable arrow loader for. use with a bow. Moreparticularly, the invention is directed to a device adapted forattachment to a conventional bow' and having provisions for holding asecond arrow in a storage position when a first arrow to be firedisstrung onto the bowstring and which device is automatically operablein response to shooting of the first arrow to position the second arrowcrosswise of the bow onto the bowstring imposition to be fired. By meansof this inventionit is therefore possible to automatically load a secondarrow into shooting position on a bow immediately upon the shootingof afirst arrow from the bow.' The movable arrow holder for the second arrowis responsive to vibrations such as those caused by firing of the firstarrow, which vibrations act as a trigger means for the device, thereby'obtaining automatic positioning of the second arrow into shootingposition on the bow.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a device forcarryingan arrow. on albow and for automatically positioning such arrowcrosswise of the bow in response to the shooting of a first arrow fromthe bow.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automaticallyoperable device for loading an arrow into shooting position on a bow. A

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for enablingsuccessive shots from a bow in a minimum amount of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrow loader'of thetype described which is simple in construction and which is adapted foruse with any. conventional type of bow.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims and may be understood by reference tothe accompanying drawings, of which there are three sheets, which by wayof illustration show a preferred embodiment of the invention and what Inow consider to be the best mode of applying the principles thereof.Other embodiments of the invention may be used without departing fromthe scope of the present invention as set forth in the; appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bow having the arrow loader ofthis invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the arrowloader;

FIG; 3 is a front elevational view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken online L-4 of FIG. 3;

'FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the loader showing the same justafter it has been triggered to position the arrow carried thereby intofiring position on the bow;

FIG.,6 is aside elevational view showing the device after the arrow hasbeen correctly positioned and released from the arrow holder; and

FIG. ,7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the device when inthe position shown in FIG. 6.

The arrow loader of the present invention is adapted for use with a bowof any conventional design and 1 having a bowstring 12 secured to theends of the bow in The loader 14 V wi in e b ar a ro nsl len s t 6 and ipivotingthe arrow holder 50 in a counterclockwis e d' ec- 2,997,999 Ptented Au 29, 19 i ice 2 immediately upon firing of the arrow, 18 isadaptedtp position the arrow 16 into shooting position with the arr riowstrung on the bowstring 12. Y

The device includes a supporting bracket in the of an elongated rod 20.having securing straps 2 2 and; 24 secured to its opposite ends byscrews 26. The straps; 2 2 and 24 are provided with a series of alignedapertures 28 by means of which the device may be secured to the how 10adjacent the central portion of the bow by suitable screws or bolts 30extending through two or more fthg aligned apertures 28 in each of thestraps to position the rod 20 in spaced parallel relation to the'bow.10,

A trunnion 32 is slidably and rotatably mounted on h rod h r nn n. 2 ncld x eae ry ia: d fi a wall a p wall 6 nd. a o e M1138; The trunnion maybe made of a single. piece ofsheet nretal formed as shown and havingaligned openings in the upper and lower walls 36 and 38 throughfwhichthe 20 extends. The aperture in thelower wall 38;.nray hp provided witha bushing 40, while h upper wall; 36 .3 p ov d h a bushing d fi in nated. lot 44. The trunnion 32 is rotatable on the rod 20fand'slid; ableaxially along the rod in a manner to be described.

n. ar w hqlder 50 p v a v mo nted 01 11. 1 .1: iq 2. by a p e t d n hroh pp s a t 1! extending fianges54 and SS-formed on the trunnign32f. Thearrow holder 50 includes a tubular portion 56 adap es i e ha r 16 91apia emri nQnweb' ece i h Pi Pi T h ld 50 may b me e plas f resilient mo i QY l h I mat iialiwhiqli. i l enable it, o es nt y r p n w Thtubular Wall. p o oi he unnieafizi s rar i d wi a am l t 0 h naa v rti aport on eat: P I 1-PO iQ l-6 e A amv ol ow 66 s ead a stew 6 e red q ndoi qt a terallv from lIG rod 20. The cam follower 66 is eccentricallymountedon the screw 68 for a purpose to be described and'projeets into.h m Qt60 nt e runni 2 w s e mining a si t n i e r n iqn 32 ithered 2,0;m s slides a al along he. d he pi ot put-52 has-a. hoolfll extendingtera y h r from-f The tre; e d of a p n 74 3.56 i. mh hoolflfli wh le elow r ndv f the spr n s c n ie dfi aamrit! havin a ho ked nd 78 aniadiusabl WlW TQ L he ower en N 1 19 20. y as rew 1,- he r .4 ex ends th ou henterim oil ev runnisafi. hr u h ts ag ment ith h b k 70- r s hem w odsrf' 'flin a clockw rsctis i as e es1.. 3 and sq hatihe lar arrow holdn PQ IiQlJ 5 we! be substantially horizontally disposed. This posit: thearrow holder50 is illustrated in FIGS. 6; and 7.

' 4 o m d on h n of h P at Por o 8 illie ha e:

e h the v ti ally w edin a1i6 9 an aliiat of the trunnion 32. i

The arrow loaderis loaded by placing ax arrovy 16 tion, as viewed inFIGS. 3 and 5, until the arrow16 is substantially vertically disposed.Thispiyoting ,O-f 'tl} holder 50 will alsopivot the hook 70-t'o the'positign shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The trunnion 32-is then slid upwardlyalong the rod 20 to the position shown in FIGS.

2 and 3, the slot 60 and camfollower 66' effecting-rotation the hook 70will rest against the outer side of the upper supporting strap 22. Thedirection of the force of the spring 74 acting through the hook 70 issuch that the upper end of the trunnion 32 will be forced laterally to Tcause the upper bushing 42 to seat on the detent lug 90 to f-holdthetrunnion and arrow holder in the upper or loaded a position thereof.This is the storage position of the second arrow 16, and the bow may beused in a conventional manner'with the arrow 18 at this time.

-'- '-"'Wh'e'n the first arrow 18 is shot from the bow 10, the

ivi brations resulting from release of the bowstring 12 will aengagement with the detent lug 90 to trigger the device. The adjustmentspreviously referred to can be utilized to enable operation of the loaderby forces such as the vibrations caused by release of the bowstring uponshooting an arrow so that the device is automatically operable toposition a second arrow into shooting position.

A locking arm" 100 is pivoted on a horizontal axis to the rod 20 abovethe lug 90 and is employed as a safety device to prevent accidentaltriggering and actuation of the automatic loader. When the trunnion isin its elevated or loaded position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lockingarm 109 may be swung downwardly to engage a flat 102 formed on the topwall 36 of the trunnion and thereby prevent the trunnion from moving offof the detent lug v The automatic arrow loader described herein enablestwo shots to be obtained in very rapid succession since shooting of thefirst arrow triggers the device to string the second arrow on thebowstring and drawing back the second arrow in the customary mannerautomatically disengages the arrow from the arrow holder.

7 While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and Itherefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth butdesire to avail myself. of such changes and alterations as fall withinthe 7 purview of the following claims.

drop vertically while rotating around the rod 20 by means I of theengagement of the spiral slot 64 in the trunnion and the cam follower 66on the rod. The cam lug 92 will be engaged by the forward edge of theelongated slot 44 as the trunnion descends to shift the upper end of thetrunnion forwardly, thereby causing the trailing edge of the bushing 42to seat upon the detent lug 94 as shown in FIG. 5. 'The spring 74 willalso pivot the arrow holder 50 in a clockwise direction at such time andthe device is shown in FIG. 5 after the'trunnion has seated upon thedetent lug 94 and while the holder 50 is being pivoted to bring thearrow 16 into operative position on the bow 10. The spiral portion 64 ofthe slot 60 in the trunnion will efiect about 90 rotation of thetrunnion and the arrow holder carriedthereby to bring the arrow into thecorrect position along the left-hand side of the how 10. As the e arrow16 swings downwardly, the notch 96 in the end thereof willengage thebowstring. The arrow will remain within the tubular portion 56 of theholder 50 at such time. As soon as the arrow 16 is strung onto the bowin the manner described the arrow may be drawn back in the customarymanner, which will result in the trunnion 32 being tilted slightlytoward the bow to disengage the bushing 42 from the detent 94, whereuponthe trunnion will drop further along the rod 20 to the position shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 in which the lower bushing 40 engages the P The arrow 16may be'easily detached from the holder. 50 during this movement of thetrunnion since the arrow will then be positioned just above the handwhich grips thebow. As the trunnion drops to the position shown in FIG.6, the arrow will be lifted out of the holder and is then in position tobe fired. The correct position of the arrow 16 within the arrow holderto insure that the notched end of the arrow engages the bowstring ,12when the deviceis actuated can readily be determined when the arrow isinserted into the holder.

It will be seen that the arrow loader is capable of being 4 "used withbows of different sizes and of any conventional "design; The tension ofthe spring 74 may be. adjusted ,to give proper functioning of the deviceby adjusting the I claim:

1. An automatically operable arrow loader for use with a bow, comprisingan arrow holder, and means movably supporting said holder on the bow formovement between a first position in which an arrow carried by saidholder is disposed generally parallel to the. bow, and a second positionin which the arrow is disposed crosswise of the bow, means for biasingsaid holder toward said second position, and detent means holding saidarrow holder in said first position.

2. An arrow loader according to claim 1 wherein said detent means isresponsive to vibrations such as caused by shooting a first arrow torelease said holder for movement to said second position.

3. An arrow loader according to claim 1 wherein said means movablysupporting said arrow holder includes a supporting bracket and meansadapted to secure said bracket to said bow, said arrow holder beingmounted on said bracket for movement, simultaneously; in a directionparallel to the bow; in an are from one side of the bow to the other;and pivotal movement on an axis normal to the bo w. V v

4. An automatically operable arrow loader for use with a bow, comprisingan arrow holder, and means adapted for movably supporting said holder onthe bowfor movement between a first position in which an arrow carriedby said holder is disposed at one side of and generally parallel to thehow, a second position in which the arrow is disposed crosswise of andon the other side of the bow, and a third position in which the arrow isdisengaged from said arrow holder, and means for biasing said holdertoward said third position, and first and second detent means forholding said arrow holder in said first and second positions.

5. An arrow loader according to claim 4 wherein said 'first detent meansis responsive to vibrations caused by shooting a first arrow from thebow to release said arrow holder for movement from said first to saidsecond posi 'tion, and wherein said second detent means is responsive todrawing of the arrow when in said second position to release said holderfor movement from said second to said third position. a 1 6. Anautomatic arrow loader for use with a bow, comprising'a supportingbracket adapted for attachment to a how, an arrow holder movablysupported on said bracket, and means constraining said holder formovement on said bracket between a' first position in which an arrowcarried 'by said' holder is disposed generally parallel to the bow,andra second position in which the arrow is disposed crosswise of thebow and lies in a plane containing the bowstring, said supportingbracket including a rod disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationto said bow, a trunnion slidably and rotatably carried by said rod, saidarrow holder being pivotally mounted on said trunnion, spring meansurging said holder and trunnion toward said second position, and detentmeans for releasably holding said holder and trunnion in said firstposition.

7. An automatically operable arrow loader for use with a bow, comprisingan arrow holder movably supported on the bow, spring means urging saidarrow holder to a position in which an arrow carried by said holder isstrung on the bowstring in position to be fired, said holder beingmovable into a storage position in which the arrow is disposed generallyparallel to the bow, and detent means for holding said arrow holder insaid storage position, said detent means being responsive to vibrationssuch as caused by shooting a first arrow to release said holder formovement to string the arrow carried by the holder on the bowstring.

8. An automatically operable arrow loader for use with a. bow,comprising a rod, means for supporting said rod from the how, a trunnionslidably and rotatably carried by said rod, an arrow holder pivotallymounted on said trunnion, spring means urging said arrow holder andtrunnion to a position in which the arrow carried by said holder isdisposed crosswise of the bow in position to be fired, said holder andtrunnion being movable into a storage position in which the arrow isdisposed generally parallel to the bow, and detent means for holdingsaid arrow holder and trunnion in said storage position, said detentmeans being responsive to vibrations such as caused by shooting a firstarrow to release said trunnion and holder for movement by said springmeans.

9. An arrow loader according to claim 8 including a safety lock forpreventing release of said trunnion from said storage position.

10. An arrow loader according to claim 8 including a second detent forlimiting movement of said trunnion by said spring means, said trunnionbeing movable with the arrow as the arrow is drawn back so as todisengage said trunnion from said second detent for further movement bysaid spring means thereby to disengage the arrow from said holder.

11. An automatic arrow loader for use with a bow, comprising a rod,means for securing the rod to a bow in spaced generally parallelrelation to the bow, a trunnion slidably and rotatably carried by saidrod, an arrow holder pivotally mounted on said trunnion on an axisnormal to said rod, spring means urging said arrow holder to a positionon the trunnion in which an arrow carried by said holder is disposedcrosswise of the bow, said spring means also urging said trunnionaxially along said rod in one direction, said holder being pivotable onsaid trunnion and the latter being movable along said rod in theopposite direction into a storage position in which the arrow isdisposed generally parallel to and at one side of the bow, a firstdetent on said rod for holding said trunnion and arrow holder in saidstorage position, a second detent on said rod, said first detent beingresponsive to vibrations such as caused by shooting a first arrow fromthe bow to release said trunnion and holder for pivotal movement of saidholder to said crosswise position and axial movement of said trunnioninto engagement with said second detent, cam means on said rod andtrunnion for eltecting rotative movement of said trunnion as the samemoves from said storage position into engagement with said seconddetent, thereby to string the arrow carried by the holder on thebowstring with said arrow disposed crosswise and on the other side ofthe bow, said trunnion being movable with the arrow as the arrow isdrawn back to disengage said trunnion from said second detent to effectfurther axial movement of said trunnion in said one direction thereby todisengage said arrow from said holder.

'12. An automatic arrow loader for use with a bow, comprising asupporting bracket adapted to be secured to a bow, a trunnion movablymounted on said bracket, an arrow holder pivotally mounted on saidtrunnion, said holder being pivotable on said trunnion and the latterbeing movable on said bracket into a storage position in which the arrowis disposed generally parallel to and at one side of the bow, a firstdetent vfor holding said trunnion and arrow holder in said storageposition, a second detent, said first detent being responsive tovibrations such as caused by shooting a first arrow to release saidtrunnion and holder for pivotal movement of said holder and movement ofsaid trunnion on said bracket into engagement with said second detentthereby to string the arrow carried by the holder on the bowstring withsaid arrow disposed crosswise and on the other side of the bow, saidtrunnion being disengaged from said second detent as the arrow is drawnback to effect further movement of said trunnion on said bracket therebyto disengage said arrow from said holder.

'13. An automatic arrow loader for use with a bow, comprising asupporting bracket adapted to be secured to a how, an arrow holdermovably mounted on said bracket, spring means urging said arrow holderto a position on the bracket in which an arrow carried by said holder isdisposed crosswise of the bow, said holder being movable against saidspring means into a storage position in which the arrow is disposedgenerally parallel to the bow, a first detent on said bracket forholding said arrow holder in said storage position, a second detent onsaid bracket, said first detent being responsive to vibrations caused byshooting a first arrow to release said holder for movement to saidcrosswise position and into engagement with said second detent, therebyto string the arrow carried by the holder on the bowstring with saidarrow disposed crosswise of the bow, said holder being disengaged fromsaid second detent as the arrow is drawn back to efiect further movementof said holder thereby to disengage said arrow from said holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,210,332 Kvistad Dec. 26, 1916 2,464,068 Bear Mar. 8, 1949 2,575,126Ramsey Nov. 13, 1951 2,801,625 Vose Aug. 6, 1957

